Category: Australian News

The Albanese Government is delivering a major uplift to Australia’s air intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, with three key Royal Australian Air Force platforms reaching significant milestones within six months.

Together, these milestones represent a significant strengthening of the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) ability to monitor and understand activity across Australia’s region and respond to emerging threats.

Consistent with the 2026 National Defence Strategy, these investments are delivering a complementary mix of crewed and uncrewed aircraft able to provide persistent surveillance, intelligence collection, maritime patrol and electronic warfare effects across Australia’s primary area of military interest.

• MQ-4C Triton: Initial Operational Capability

The MQ-4C Triton has achieved Initial Operational Capability (IOC), following extensive operational testing and evaluation.

Operating from RAAF Bases Tindal and Edinburgh and supported by Northrop Grumman Australia, the MQ-4C Triton fleet is now providing a powerful new contribution to Australia’s long-range surveillance capability.

With the MQ-4C Triton now at IOC, Air Force has significantly strengthened its ability to deliver persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance effects across Australia’s primary area of military interest. 

The MQ-4C Triton is based at RAAF Base Tindal and operated by Air Force’s 
Number 9 Squadron, located at RAAF Base Edinburgh, South Australia.

• P-8A Poseidon: Completion of the fleet, arrival of the first enhanced aircraft and commencement of the first domestic modification of the aircraft

The 14th and final P-8A Poseidon aircraft arrived in Australia in May, completing delivery of the P-8A Poseidon fleet and strengthening the ADF’s maritime patrol, anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface warfare capabilities. 

The first of two P-8A Poseidon aircraft upgraded with Increment 3 Block 2 enhancements has also arrived in Australia, providing enhanced operational capability while maintaining interoperability with the United States Navy.

The remaining 12 P-8A Poseidon fleet will undergo these upgrades in Australia, supported by Boeing Defence Australia and local industry partners at the recently opened $200 million Deep Maintenance and Modification Facility at RAAF Base Edinburgh.

This work will build sovereign capacity to maintain and upgrade this critical capability in Australia while creating further opportunities for Australian defence industry.

Australia operates 14 P-8A Poseidon aircraft, based at RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia, and operated by Numbers 11, 12 and 292 Squadrons.

• MC-55A Peregrine: Initial Operational Capability and upcoming arrival of the fourth and final aircraft 

The MC-55A Peregrine has achieved IOC, following extensive operational testing and evaluation.

The first three MC-55A Peregrine aircraft have now been delivered, with the fourth and final aircraft due to arrive later this year.

This will further expand Air Force’s ability to deliver integrated intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and electronic warfare effects in support of Defence operations.

The MC-55A Peregrine is based at RAAF Base Edinburgh, South Australia and operated by Air Force’s Number 10 Squadron.

These milestones also reinforce South Australia’s growing importance to Australia’s national defence.

RAAF Base Edinburgh is at the centre of Australia’s air intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance enterprise, supporting advanced Defence capabilities, highly skilled jobs and an increasingly sophisticated sovereign defence industry.

South Australia’s defence industry generated a record $2 billion in economic activity last financial year.

the Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, the Hon Richard Marles MP:

“These significant air intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance milestones demonstrate the Albanese Government’s commitment to our air intelligence, surveillance end reconnaissance.

“South Australia is central to this effort. RAAF Base Edinburgh is becoming one of the most important hubs for advanced Defence capability in the country, supporting our national security and highly skilled Australian jobs.

“The Albanese Government is investing approximately $5.5 billion over the decade to continue to enhance the ADF’s air intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and maritime patrol and response capabilities that will create additional opportunities for Australian industry well into the future.”

the Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Stephen Chappell DSC, CSC, OAM:

“Our people have been at the heart of delivering the air intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability for Australia, demonstrating exceptional skill, professionalism and dedication in bringing these complex systems into service.

“I congratulate our whole Air Domain team, from across industry, the public service and Air Force for their exceptional work to deliver these cutting edge capabilities for Australia. 

“The achievements announced today mark a significant step forward in Air Force capability, delivering persistent, long-range maritime surveillance that strengthens our ability to protect Australia’s interests and deliver highly effective air power as part of the integrated, focused force.”

Today I chaired the 30th MIKTA Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New York joined by my counterparts from Mexico, Indonesia, the Republic of Korea and Türkiye.

At a time when global cooperation is being tested and there is a trend away from rules towards the exercise of power, MIKTA is working to create more common ground, and to transform that into shared opportunities.

Ministers endorsed a renewed Vision Statement for MIKTA, focusing our collective efforts on protecting the multilateral system, advancing sustainable development, taking ambitious climate action and strengthening a rules-based trading system.

We also agreed to a Joint Statement on the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel from Misinformation, Disinformation and Harmful Narratives. This important statement reaffirms our commitment to safeguard humanitarian personnel and information from harm, in all forms, and to take practical steps that support the safety of those working on the front line.

Statements in full:

MIKTA Vision Statement

Joint Statement on the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel and Humanitarian Action from Misinformation, Disinformation and Harmful Narratives
 

The long running senate inquiry into the Triple Zero service outage has today released its report with 11 recommendations. The full report is available here.

The inquiry was established in the wake of the September 2025 Optus outage that saw catastrophic failures in the Triple Zero system and was associated with multiple deaths. Since then a number of other network outages have affected Triple Zero, including the national Telstra outage in July 2026.

The committee was deeply concerned that the failures examined during this inquiry have had real and tragic human impacts and has produced a comprehensive report with 11 recommendations that highlight the need for an overhaul of the Triple Zero system.

The committee’s report has been supported by the Greens, Labor and the Coalition.

Some of the key recommendations include:

• A review and modernisation of the telecommunications act and associated regulations in relation to Triple Zero
• The establishment of a statutory authority to take over Emergency Call Person operations and nationalise Triple Zero functions
• The introduction of a comprehensive minimum performance and reliability standard for all Australian telcos with an automatic compensation scheme for those affected by network outages
• The introduction of legislation to mandate domestic roaming for voice calls and text messages
• The implementation of a reliable text-based service option for contacting Triple Zero in addition to voice calls.
• An independent review of the Australian Communications and Media Authority’s (ACMA) role, powers, resourcing, technical capability and regulatory approach in relation to Triple Zero

Inquiry Chair Senator Sarah Hanson-Young is Greens spokesperson for Communications:  

“Australian telcos are now on notice, this is the end of the era of self-regulation.

“After months of work, this report recommends essential measures the government must enact if they want to end Australia’s telco crisis. 

“Telstra, Optus and TPG have all let down their customers and the Australian public. With the litany of outages we have seen millions of Australians affected. Something needs to change.

“Our telecommunications laws are out of date, successive governments have failed to ensure that regulation keeps pace with technology. Having access to a mobile phone and the internet is an essential part of everyday life for most Australians and our laws must treat it that way.

“Australian’s rightfully expect their phone to work no matter where they are in the country. The Federal Government must mandate domestic roaming so that all Australians, especially those in rural and regional areas, are always able to contact Triple Zero, get to work or call their mum. 

“Triple Zero is an essential service, it is often a matter of life or death for people. We can no longer allow it to be left to private companies to ensure the functioning of Triple Zero. Companies that put profits ahead of people should not be left to manage emergency services.

“Nationalising Triple Zero must be top of the Government’s to do list. Putting this emergency service back into public hands will ensure more accountability and more investment in protecting Australians.

“In 2026 telecommunications must be treated as the essential infrastructure it is. It is well past time that there are minimum performance and reliability standards imposed on telcos, just as there is for power companies. 

“Compensation should be automatic for all customers affected by outages. Australians shouldn’t be put through the ringer by telcos when seeking compensation for a service they spend thousands of dollars a year on. 

“Domestic roaming is already a reality around the world in countries like New Zealand, Canada and Europe. Australia must join these countries and ensure that we have a telecommunications network fit for the 21st century. 

“ACMA have utterly failed in their role to regulate the telcos and shown they are more of a lap dog than a watch dog. Throughout the inquiry, the committee heard of repeated failure to conduct basic due diligence or act with the level of concern of urgency that regulating an emergency service like Triple Zero requires. 

“An independent review of ACMA and their role in this saga is essential to help rebuild public trust and confidence in the Triple Zero system.

Full list of recommendations

Recommendation 1
The committee recommends that the Australian Government’s current review of the Triple Zero framework be used as an opportunity to modernise the Telecommunications Act 1997 and related legislation and regulatory instruments, with the objective of recognising Triple Zero as an essential public safety service and ensuring appropriate oversight, accountability and enforcement mechanisms. Recognising that this will be an extensive undertaking, the Australian Government must consider commencing this work now, with a view to modernising the legislation in future years. If such a review is undertaken, it should not delay more urgent reforms that will keep our community safe.

Recommendation 2
The committee recommends that the Australian Government consider establishing a statutory authority to assume responsibility for the Emergency Call Person function.

Recommendation 3
The committee recommends that the Australian Government require the Triple Zero Custodian to comprehensively review how welfare checks are carried out across the telecommunications system and assess the adequacy of these arrangements. The Triple Zero Custodian should investigate whether it would be preferable for the Emergency Call Person and its staff to conduct all welfare checks arising from unsuccessful Triple Zero call attempts during a telecommunications outage.

Recommendation 4
The committee recommends that the Australian Government establish a comprehensive reliability framework for telecommunications networks which provide access to the Triple Zero service. The framework should include mandatory reliability and performance standards applying to carriers and carriage service providers, substantial civil penalties for non-compliance, and a comprehensive automatic compensation scheme for those directly or indirectly affected by service outages. Any compensation arrangements would need to be integrated with existing consumer protections and compensation arrangements in the telecommunications sector. Extensive consultation with consumers, industry, regulators and other stakeholders should be undertaken before any compensation scheme is introduced.

Recommendation 5
The committee recommends that the Australian Government commission an independent review of the Australian Communications and Media Authority’s (ACMA) role, powers, resourcing, technical capability and regulatory approach in relation to Triple Zero, including whether the current institutional arrangements remain appropriate for the regulation of an essential public safety service. This review should take into account the ACMA’s current responsibilities and whether that is an appropriate model moving forward.

Recommendation 6
The committee recommends that the Australian Government amend relevant telecommunications legislation to provide the Australian Communications and Media Authority with substantiation notice powers, enabling it to compel the production of information and evidence necessary for compliance monitoring, investigations, and enforcement action in relation to telecommunications and Triple Zero obligations.

Recommendation 7
The committee recommends that the Australian Government amend the telecommunications legislation to mandate domestic mobile roaming for both voice calls and text messages.

Recommendation 8
The committee recommends that the Australian Government require telecommunications providers to support a reliable text-based service option for contacting Triple Zero in addition to voice calls.

Recommendation 9
The committee recommends that the Australian Communications and Media Authority work with mobile network operators and mobile device manufacturers to establish a public register of compliant and tested mobile devices sold in Australia. This register should work in concert with the National Telecom Resilience Centre.

Recommendation 10
The committee recommends that the Australian Government commission the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to develop a framework for the sharing of technical specifications between mobile network operators and mobile device manufacturers. The intent of this framework would be to assist in identifying network and device limitations without compromising commercially sensitive information or impacting anti-competitive laws.

Recommendation 11
The committee recommends that the Australian Government improve transparency and reporting across the Triple Zero ecosystem, including by:

• considering whether the Triple Zero Custodian should have an ongoing role in publicly reporting on the Triple Zero framework’s performance, resilience and operation; and

introducing legislative requirements for telecommunications companies to publicly report outage data in their annual reports, including the total number, type, duration, cause and impact of service outages.   

Reports that Qantas and Virgin are charging Fremantle and Brisbane fans up to $6,000 for return flights to Melbourne this AFL Grand Final weekend, with some fares quadrupling in the hours after the preliminary finals, are the latest proof that Australia’s aviation market is broken, the Greens say.

Fremantle and Brisbane fans have been told they could fly to Europe and back for the same price as a trip to the MCG.

Elizabeth Watson-Brown MP, Greens MP for Ryan & spokesperson for Transport & Lions fan:

“The airline duopoly are un-Australian scam artists. 

“These companies will sign sponsorship deals to try and convince you that they love footy. They don’t. They love money. Your money. The more of it the better. 

“This is the kind of un-sportsmanlike behaviour we see everyday from big companies, big companies that the public used to own and run for the public good, not profit.

“Is it any wonder they get away with this appalling conduct when the responsible Minister, Catherine King, was just gifted a lifetime Chairman’s Lounge membership. 

“Ordinary fans who’ve followed their team all season are being slugged thousands of dollars just to watch a grand final, because two airlines control almost the entire domestic market and know Australians have no choices. 

“The former Chair of the ACCC says this is price gouging, and he’s right. The fact it’s not illegal to raise prices based on algorithms, says everything about how far successive governments have let privatisation run unchecked. These algorithms can include the post-code where you’re searching from and whether data on file suggests you’re a football fan – it’s a scam.

“Qantas and Virgin can point to adding extra flights all they like, but scarcity pricing on essential travel during a cost-of-living crisis isn’t ‘supply and demand’ — it’s a duopoly extracting maximum profit because it can.

“The Greens will keep pushing to end the Qantas-Virgin duopoly’s stranglehold on Australian skies, so footy fans and everyone else who has no real choice but to fly across this massive continent aren’t treated as a captive market to be squeezed dry.”

“The Intergenerational Report reveals the cost of the Albanese economic model that is stoking inflation and higher interest rates, crashing wealth and wages, and setting future generations up for even lower standards of living”, said Shadow Treasurer, Tim Wilson.

Mr Wilson’s comments follow the release of the seventh Intergenerational Report by the Treasurer, Jim Chalmers, today.

The report outlines:

1. Productivity growth is assumed to be 1.2 per cent annually, but the RBA assumes only 0.7 per cent and productivity growth under the Albanese government has gone backward by 5.0 per cent.
2. Using the RBA’s productivity assumption for 40 years reveals Labor’s debt will be higher by nearly 40 percentage points of GDP. This would be a further $1.1 trillion in today’s dollars, or $28,000 per person.
3. Inflation is assumed back in the band by mid-2027, but Labor’s record on inflation has been a failure, with underlying inflation now at 3.6 per cent, above the band for
   13 months in a row, and above target for their entire time in office.
4. Labor’s permanently higher tax burden, with taxes reaching 24.2 per cent of GDP. This would lock in the highest rate ever – 2 percentage points higher than the average over the last Coalition term.
5. These taxes will hit working and young people. Personal income taxes reach well over their highest share of income ever, more than 25 per cent higher than when the Coalition left office.
6. The spending projections rely on Labor being able to achieve huge NDIS cuts.

“Because the Prime Minister and his Taxaholic Treasurer can’t kick their spending and inflation addiction, Australians are paying higher interest rates and supermarket prices, inflation is outstripping wage growth, and higher taxes are harming family home values”, Mr Wilson said.

“Over the long-term the next generation of Australians are being set up for lower standards of living as they inherit rising public debt and a less productive economy”.

“We need a reset from the Albanese economic model and to get back to a pathway of economic growth. Instead, the only growth is in regulation, and the number of times the Treasurer cooks the books”.

“Reports suggest that the Treasurer is flagging tax cuts, but every time he has offered a Clayton’s tax cut, it is quickly outstripped by inflation”.

“If the Treasurer is serious about giving the next generation of Australians a fair go, he would back our Tax Back Guarantee to end the bracket creep and deliver every working Australian a bigger, permanent tax cut, every year”.

“The Treasurer is ramping up his stealth inflation tax on every Australian, so that he can turn around and offer them a fake tax cut, in yet another deception of the Australian people”.

“Jim Chalmers is laying out his plan for the 2060’s, while Australians today are staring down the barrel of three interest rate rises wondering when the Government is going to get serious about its inflation addiction right now”.

“Under Labor, productivity has flatlined, and the Treasurer has backflipped to use old metrics he once described as ‘rubbish’ to paper over his failures”.

“It is unclear how the highest tax burden ever, particularly on investment, will achieve the miracle productivity turnaround this report is relying on”.

“No matter how the Treasurer wants to spin it, the reality is that under his watch, Australians have experienced the largest decline in living standards in the developed world”.

When it comes to helping Australians, the priority should not be virtue signalling. We have fellow Australians living in third-world conditions. The priority should be grappling with this and providing solutions. Doing so will be hard and it will take time, but it is our responsibility to do so.

Labor, on the other hand, would much rather virtue signal and spend huge amounts of taxpayer money to little effect whatsoever.

One Nation will not stand for this. Under One Nation, there would be a full audit into Indigenous spending.

At a time of global uncertainty and major challenges, Australia is an untiring advocate for peace and security. We understand that this is best achieved through international cooperation, which is why we are launching our campaign for a seat on the United Nations Security Council, to serve a two-year term from 2029 to 2030.

Australia is seeking a seat because a safer world is one governed by rules, not by power and force alone. Our priority is to work across continents and regions to prevent conflict, advance ocean and climate security, and promote peaceful, resilient and inclusive digital futures.

The UN Security Council is the world’s principal body for the maintenance of international peace and security. As we know too well, conflicts overseas can affect Australia’s security, economy and way of life.

A seat on the Security Council would give Australia a stronger voice in the decisions that affect Australians and our region.

As a member of the Security Council, Australia will amplify the views of small and mid-sized states and ensure decisions are informed by a wide range of positions.

Australia’s campaign will be guided by a simple approach: listening with respect, partnering as equals and protecting what matters most.

As a founding member of the UN and the first President of the Security Council, Australia has been a consistent voice advocating for global peace and security for more than 80 years.

If elected, Australia will support bold, practical reform to ensure the UN can continue to fulfil its important mission well into the future.

The UN General Assembly will elect 2029-2030 Security Council members in June 2028. Australia last served on the Council in 2013-2014.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

“The hopes of Australians are the hopes of people everywhere – to live in peace and to build a better future. That is the voice that Australia will bring to the security council.

“Australia played a pivotal role in the founding of the United Nations – because we have always understood how important it is for small and mid-sized nations to have their voices heard on the challenges facing our world.

“Our vision is simple: We listen with respect, we partner as equals and we protect what matters most.”

Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong

“A safer world is one governed by rules, not power and force alone. Australia’s vision is a world where all countries have the freedom to decide their own future.

“As an active and ambitious middle power, we have a practical contribution to make to international peace and security.

“Australia’s focus on the UN Security Council will be conflict prevention, the protection of civilians and defending the rules that protect us all.”

The Albanese Government has secured Wagga Wagga Airport’s long-term future following agreement for a new 50 year lease between Wagga Wagga City Council and the Department of Defence.

The new lease will build on a longstanding partnership between Council and Defence and provides the certainty needed to continue operating, maintaining and investing in the airport, while ensuring Defence retains access to support operations at RAAF Base Wagga.

As a critical gateway for the Riverina and southern NSW, Wagga Wagga Airport connects communities, supports local businesses and industry, and contributes to economic growth across the region.

The airport currently operates as a shared civilian and military facility on Defence-owned land alongside RAAF Base Wagga, making it vital to both regional connectivity and Defence capability.

Under the new agreement, Council will continue to manage the airport, supported by established regional partnerships and a clear long-term vision for growth. Through ongoing investment and improvements, the airport will remain a valuable community asset and an important Defence capability hub for decades to come. 

Securing the future of Wagga Wagga Airport supports the Albanese Government’s commitment to strengthening Defence capability, growing regional economies and ensuring communities that host Defence facilities share in the economic benefits they generate. 

Assistant Minister for Defence, the Hon. Peter Khalil MP:

“This is great news for Wagga and a great example of the Albanese Government working with local communities to deliver long-term outcomes that support both Defence capability and regional growth. 

“The new agreement locks in the future of the Airport and gives Council the certainty it needs to continue investing in this critical piece of regional infrastructure.

“RAAF Base Wagga is a critical part of Defence’s base network, but it’s also an important economic asset for the region, helping connect people, businesses, and communities across the Riverina.

“The Albanese Government is committed to investing in the infrastructure and partnerships that help keep Australians safe while creating opportunities for regional communities to prosper.

“Council has successfully managed the airport for many years and is well placed to lead this next chapter of growth and development.”

Senator for New South Wales, Deborah O’Neill:

“For local businesses, this means better connectivity and greater certainty to invest, grow and create jobs across the Riverina.

“The airport also plays an important role in connecting Riverina communities with the rest of NSW and Australia, making it easier for people to travel for work, education, health care and family.

“A strong regional airport supports the broader local economy. From tourism and hospitality to freight, aviation and other businesses that rely on reliable connections.”

Greens (WA)’s spokesperson for housing and homelessness Tim Clifford MLC, in response to the Cook Labor Government’s announcement this week that it has increased social housing income eligibility limits by $17 for singles and $26 for dual-income households:

“Do they expect people to be grateful? It’s the lowest income limit in the country and it’s a f*cking nightmare.”

The Victorian Greens have slammed Labor’s plans to completely wipe out public housing at 139 Highett Street in Richmond, describing this news as another carve-up of public land for private property developers.

The plan for 139 Highett Street is the latest of Labor’s secretive privatisation plans to be revealed, as part of Labor’s ongoing demolition of all of Melbourne’s public housing towers.

Labor is knocking down 220 public homes and handing over the site to private property developers to be dominated by hundreds of private apartments, including taxpayer subsidised build-to-rent, while not a single public home will remain at the site.

Under Labor’s proposal, the site is expected to contain 800 private apartments – including around 650 build-to-rent homes and a measly 150 community housing units.

That means not a single public home will remain, and there will be around 70 fewer “social housing” units overall on the site than before.

Public housing is owned and managed by the state with rent capped at 25 per cent of household income and secure ongoing tenancies.

Community housing is managed by community housing providers, with different rent settings, often above 30%, additional utility and service charges, and varying tenancy arrangements.

Social housing is an umbrella term which includes both public and community housing.

Build-to-rent developments are operated by a single corporate landlord and typically attract rents 20-70% higher than market rent. Developers of build-to-rent receive land tax and absentee owner surcharge subsidies as well as avoid developer contributions for local infrastructure.

Labor have tried to defend their demolition and privatisation of Melbourne’s public housing towers by pointing to this measly target of 10 per cent more “social housing”.

The Greens say Labor has even failed to deliver on their pathetically inadequate target and that we should be building more government owned and managed public housing, not knocking it down while over 100,000 Victorians languish on the public housing waitlist.

Victorian Greens MP for Richmond and housing spokesperson, Gabrielle de Vietri:

“Labor is wiping out public housing, handing valuable land over to private developers, literally subsidising corporate landlords to profit off that land, and somehow delivering even less “social housing” than before. Labor is clearly trying to hoodwink Victorians with this plan that’s been nothing more than a mass privatisation sham from day one.

“Only last week, the United Nations raised serious concerns that Labor’s demolition plan could breach international human rights law and make the housing crisis worse, while a parliamentary inquiry found the government had failed to justify demolition over refurbishment.

“As the local MP I cannot stand by while Labor tears our community apart. I will fight this tooth and nail.

“The Greens would double the number of public homes in Victoria and refurbish the homes we already have – not bulldoze them and hand public land to private developers.”